Reimagining the Civic Commons

‘A wonderful space for joy’: Former Greater Grand Crossing school reopened as arts incubator The Rebuild Foundation and artist Theaster Gates hosted the grand opening of arts incubator the Land School this week, revamping a space vacant since 2002.

An early @civiccommonsus.bsky.social project, this vacant Chicago school became arts incubator bc of artist Theaster Gates. "There’s this illusion...that we don’t deserve great and significant things,” he said. “We never needed a perfect space. We just needed one that was ours.” tinyurl.com/msudbkm5

Akron Bets Big on Parks to Revitalize Downtown Akron, Ohio, reopened a major downtown park after a $17 million renovation last year, part of a strategy to promote downtown growth by…

NEW: Akron's downtown is small – but has a big impact on local economy & culture and is focus for the city's rebranding as a "welcoming place for all people," said a city official. "The downtown is probably where that heart beats the loudest.”
More on downtown Akron's rebirth: tinyurl.com/37x2k7jt

Atlanta planners built Cook Park as a public park – and as climate infrastructure to capture stormwater, according to @nytimes.com.
Similarly, Singapore's Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park was created when a drainage ditch was replaced with meandering waterways evoking streams.
Read: tinyurl.com/5vdskjwy

When turning a road into pedestrian space, Stockholm planners framed the idea as temporary pop-ups to ease concerns from car-owners, who were won over by the charming parklets.
The # of participating streets started with 2 in 2015 – to now more than 40 streets every summer. tinyurl.com/4e7w6tfc

It just got easier to float Cincinnati's central waterway A new pilot program allows users to rent kayaks from a remote kiosk at Salway Park in Northside.

A kayak kiosk on the creek – it's not a tongue twister, it's the newest amenity on Mill Creek in Cincinnati.

The city’s first kayak rental operation is another opportunity for people to connect to nature and see Cincinnati's public spaces from a different angle.

www.wvxu.org/local-news/2...

Resilient Cities in Action, in Progress How public spaces can be powerful climate infrastructure

NEW: Around the world, cities are being adaptive and resilient in the face of climate change.
In our latest article, we look at examples where communities are working to mitigate environmental decline – from building green infrastructure to encouraging social connection. Read:
tinyurl.com/4244vrev

Plans for Georgia’s potential first national park are moving forward! Meetings about the proposed Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve start this week around Macon-Bibb, Houston and Twiggs counties and a virtual meeting later this month - see www.ocmulgeepark.org/strategicplan for details

Investing with Intention: Environmental Sustainability - Reimagining the Civic Commons Environmental sustainability is a core outcome of Reimagining the Civic Commons. Public spaces — our parks, libraries, trails,...

As climate change drives more severe weather and natural disasters, how can cities prepare for recovery?

Research shows communities with robust social infrastructure – like parks and cafes – had better recovery compared to more traditional infrastructure. READ: tinyurl.com/5vdskjwy #climateweeknyc

Phoenix Park has ‘risen with new life’ after $4.6 million overhaul The small downtown park with a new self-cleaning bathroom is in the heart of downtown at the corner of Main and Limestone streets.

Newly revamped Phoenix Park in Lexington forms the middle of trio of showcase parks, says Councilmember Hannah LeGris – showing importance of shared amenities.
"It's more than just a public space," she said. "It's an investment in a stronger, safer and more connected downtown."
tinyurl.com/ykvd4k5r

With Their Votes And Their Wallets, Americans Support Funding Public Spaces Parks, libraries and open spaces are popular across the country — and people want to keep them healthy and funded

High-quality public spaces like parks and playgrounds are popular and supported by a wide range of Americans – and they offer great bang for your buck as well.
In Philly, officials said nearly $100 in economic value was created for every dollar spent on park maintenance.
MORE: tinyurl.com/mr2py6h4

Cover and interior spread of a booklet called "Environmental sustainability" with photos of people on bikes and pedestrians on a river pathway.

NEW: Investing with Intention: Environmental Sustainability is now available.
Public spaces can be powerful climate infrastructure & help cool overheated cities, absorb stormwater & strengthen social ties critical to resilience. Read the report as we head into #ClimateWeekNYC. tinyurl.com/5vdskjwy

Making Space for Play: Play Patches

Ingredients for great playgrounds? Studio Ludo's quick guide says factors like trees for shade, residential location within walkable or bikeable distance, clean restrooms and lots of different heights to climb make for a fun experience for everyone, no matter the age. tinyurl.com/23kxey3n

Dan Rice to retire in 2026 after 32 years leading the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition Akron-based CEO helped build out the Towpath Trail, secure more than $40 million for Lock 3 and Summit Lake, and expand trails across Summit, Stark and Tuscarawas counties.

Akron legend & Civic Commons champion Daniel Rice is retiring in 2026 from Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition. Dan has been a civic commons believer since the earliest days and has left an indelible mark on Akron and the entire national network. 🎉 to his retirement.
www.yourohionews.com/tuscarawas-c...

With Their Votes And Their Wallets, Americans Support Funding Public Spaces Parks, libraries and open spaces are popular across the country — and people want to keep them healthy and funded

NEW: From city playgrounds to national parks to libraries, Americans love high-quality, well-run public spaces – and they will vote for and rally to support them.

Our new article looks at the demand for a robust public realm that's well-resourced and maintained. Read: medium.com/reimagining-...

A Call to Action: Public space for the common good 5 insights from Philadelphia on how civic space strengthens democracy, trust and community

Today is International Day of Democracy and an apt time to revisit this piece about why public spaces are vital for the common good – as Shawn McCaney of William Penn Foundation said, “Cities are the true laboratories of democracy."

medium.com/reimagining-...

The Kresge Foundation announces move to Detroit, $180M investment into neighborhoods The Kresge Foundation announced on Friday that it plans to move the foundation’s headquarters from Troy to Detroit, along with a $180 million investment into city neighborhoods.

The Kresge Foundation HQ is returning to Detroit on Marygrove campus, w/ $180M in home ownership & stabilization, biz district renewal, public space upgrades & support for Fitzgerald, Bagley, Univ. District & Martin Park people + biz.
🎉 for philanthropy aiding convener Live6 Alliance & partners!

Big City, Less Mixing Why variety and technology make cross-class interactions less common in big American cities — and what we can do about it

Increasing segmentation is worsening economic segregation, and it's a feature outside the Magic Kingdom as well. Read our Medium article about how living in big cities can also lead to similar outcomes: medium.com/reimagining-...

Disney World can cost $$$ - and you can pay more to cut lines for rides.
"The market, and increasingly the culture, is dominated by the affluent," writes Dan Currell. "Technology is enabling companies to see these previously invisible class divides and act on them." www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/o...

Summer success: Transformed Lock 3 Park pumps money, crowds and energy into Akron City of Akron drone video, provided to News 5, shows large crowds filling Lock 3 on Main Street for various acts.

Lock 3 Park in Akron has drawn bands & crowds & boosted local economy as visitors spend $.
"I gotta tell you, it feels so good just to see people come back down here, walk around,” singer Rachel Roberts told @news5cleveland.bsky.social. “I see big smiles on people's faces."
tinyurl.com/4afemzc2

Hundreds of cyclists peddle 35-mile Tour de Crown highlighting Cincinnati's bike trails The third annual ride brings together the City of Cincinnati and Great Parks on a journey they hope will unify the region with a network of riding trials.

The 3rd annual Tour de Crown hosted by local @civiccommonsus.bsky.social convener Tri-State Trails last month was a big success, with 700+ riders sharing the vision of the 34-mile trail project which will eventually form a seamless network around Cincinnati. 🚴🚴

www.wlwt.com/article/cinc...

Great piece, @awalkerinla.bsky.social

Planting Roots and Building Bridges in St. Paul 4 lessons from the Heartland for growing local excellence and community strength

Our Learning Journey to St. Paul revealed a city filled with people who are deeply proud of their roots and building bridges between generations and communities for a stronger social fabric and a brighter future.

Four insights we observed for the field: medium.com/reimagining-...

Newfangled Ways to Spark Old-Style Civic Life: 4 Groups Show the Way These four organizations aim to create the modern-day version of the community group that once bound Americans together. Among their tools: investigative journalism, a bouncy house, and a neighborhood...

“Do something people want to do, and you can sneak engagement in on the side,” Richard Young of CivicLex told the Chronicle of Philanthropy for a recent piece highlighting their extensive and innovative public outreach efforts.

Bravo to the CivicLex team!
www.philanthropy.com/commons/new-...

Human connection to nature has declined 60% in 200 years, study finds Prof Miles Richardson says people risk ‘extinction of experience’ in the natural world without new policies

A new study by prof. Miles Richardson finds that human connection to nature - as measured through references to the natural world in books from 1800 to 2020 - has declined by 60% in 200 years - another reason why nature-rich public realm is so important. Read:
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

I visited Schuylkill Banks more than 50 times in three months. Here’s why it’s now one of Philadelphia’s great civic spaces. The soaring new harp-like pedestrian bridge connects neighborhoods and weaves an uninterrupted path up to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and beyond.

“The pandemic isolated us from each other and social media and cultural schisms continue to divide us — forces that have given the togetherness of the Schuylkill Banks this summer an almost utopian feel” - Peter Dobrin on connections forged on the trail's new pedestrian bridge tinyurl.com/2d9dcwpj

Torched So LA doesn't get burned

Alissa Walker writes that LA needs to institute capital infrastructure plans to prepare for the immediate future and beyond.
In the midst of turmoil, "what Angelenos need right now, more than ever, is a commitment to the spaces that we share with each other." Read: www.torched.la/civic-promise/

Inside an urban heat island, one street can be much hotter than its neighbor – new tech makes it easier to target cooling projects New technologies are making it easier to find these urban heat islets, opening the door to new strategies for efficiently improving community health.

The Conversation has a fascinating look by Northeastern's Dan O'Brien at how one area can be 10° F hotter than another place a few blocks away – and to consider if our public spaces are a solution for urban heat with ample trees, shade, water and other greenery.
theconversation.com/inside-an-ur...

Akron Bets Big on Parks to Revitalize Downtown Akron, Ohio, reopened a major downtown park after a $17 million renovation last year, part of a strategy to promote downtown growth by investing in public spaces.

Governing profiles Akron's revitalization, where Civic Commons partners are "using public-space investments to promote social cohesion."
Knight Foundation's Kyle Kutuchief said when people get to know Akron, “the more they see, the more they’re gonna fall in love with it.” Read: tinyurl.com/mr25d4zu

Planting Roots and Building Bridges in St. Paul 4 lessons from the Heartland for growing local excellence and community strength

A city needs vibrant cultural & community identities – but what are the bases of those identities?
In St. Paul MN, local excellence & quality assets bolster local pride. Read 4 takeaways, where talent is nurtured, families put down roots, and pride in local identity is evident. tinyurl.com/bdeauu4c

Get out of your car if you want to be less lonely As new research shows evidence that good public transport links are the key to feeling more connected, non-driver Helen Coffey advocates for getting out of our insular metal boxes and into the world

Your weekend read in The Independent: “Get out of your car if you want to be less lonely”

A new UK study found that people who depended on cars were more likely to feel disconnected than those with access to good public transport.

More: tinyurl.com/4up6579z